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          Community Connections is a grassroots initiative of Pittsburgh 250 supporting projects that encourage civic engagement throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania, commemorate the region’s 250th anniversary, and provide lasting value to communities and the region as a whole.  More than 500 applications for funding were submitted by individuals, community groups, and organizations to celebrate the “Pride and Progress” of Southwestern Pennsylvania—the theme of Community Connections.  A region-wide community decision-making process selected 100 projects to share $1 million in funding for events and activities occurring throughout the anniversary year of 2008.

     The Sprout Fund is a nonprofit organization supporting innovative ideas and grassroots community projects that are catalyzing change in Pittsburgh .  Founded in 2001, Sprout is designed to facilitate community-led solutions to regional challenges and supports efforts to create a thriving, progressive, and culturally diverse region. With strong working relationships to many community organizations and regional stakeholders, The Sprout Fund is one of Southwestern Pennsylvania ’s leading agencies on issues related to civic engagement, talent attraction and retention, public art, and catalytic small-scale funding.

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

Turner’s Dairy
Domino’s Pizza
Fox’s Pizza Den
McDonald’s Restaurant
Giant Eagle- Ligonier
Eat N’ Park
Pizza Hut